Piaget

In addition to the great report from our Piaget contest winner Chris (aka takman), which can be found here: piaget.watchprosite.com / I would like to add my own impressions from our visit at Piaget. (It still looks like this – more or less) La Cote-aux-Fé...  

Thanks, Oliver, for your report! Your pictures are really delightful, and I appreciate very much your insights about the finishing you've seen on some of the newer pieces. Really excellent commentary here in part 1 of your article detailing your visit wit... 

Thanks! Oliver

... they are so my kinda poeple Particularly, this Piaget (thanks to my challenge for the quiz, which I failed one or maybe two questions) persistent to make thin watches and that DNA even today. Very impressive report, no this is Article, Oliver. I am lo... 

and next time you will see artists & more. Leica - if there is quality needed ... One day, we both can do a visit like this - together. I trust in that! Oliver

post! It made my morning this snowy day in Zagreb How appropriate Best Damjan

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Hi Oliver! Gorgeous pictures of a very interesting visit. I love to discover real manufactures and I've not visited that one, yet. Thank you for the "pre" visit! Best Dje

Dje, me too Thanks! Oliver

from the PuristS visit in 2008. Looked good then and looks good now! Thanks Oliver, Don

are hard to beat Thanks! Oliver

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Not only great - addictive, dangerous, time consuming ... Thanks! Oliver

It is not because Piaget watches are generally not my taste that it is not a very interesting brand. And I have to confess that I found a lot of interest to some of their skeleton, recently... Very interesting informations about their ultra thin movement.... 

is something to learn - every day Isn´t this a great part of our hobby/addiction? Thanks! Oliver

Going back to school is nice. Best, Vlad, a bad pupil.

Skeletons like the new one from Piaget should come with a warning: You have to be older than 21 years. You will see the naked truth. You could be seriously addicted. It could affect ... Nice, but dangerous! Oliver...  

and quite eye opening. Thanks very much for the report and I look forward to the next part(s). Best to you, Tim

Tim, thanks a lot for your kind words. Is there some pressure? ... Oliver

of another great read. Not like sushi pressure! Take your time and enjoy the creation. Best, Tim

and your photography is excellent too! Why does Piaget make their apprentices make their own tools and wood box? Is this to get them to learn how to use the machines to make parts? Or is it for other reasons? Cheers, Anthony

Respect for craft and mastery of essential skills, I would say. Watchmaking without proper tools is impossible! Greubel Forsey and Philippe Dufour go one (huge) step further, but that is another story Thanks, Anthony! Oliver

. . . isn't a luxury, Oliver? It's quite possible the density of ebony contributes to the functionality of the hammer. Pool players are sensitive to the feedback of a cue, which can vary tremendously by the type of wood used in its construction. I would h... 

I like that thought a lot and didn´t even think about, before. Maybe you are right. Would zitan be even better? Once more, luxury without knowledge is nonsense Oliver

It has appeared before and was demonstrated by the Manufacture manager to PuristS-on-Tour 2008. For report, click following link: piaget.watchprosite.com Of course, the shy watchmaker's face is not shown in photographs...... Mr Bornand illustrating the ra...  

. . . for once ;-) . . .

. . . of purpleheart . . . [photo: Denali Pool Cues] . . . which reputedly exhibits vibrant resonance characteristics. Kiseki produces a moving coil phono cartridge aptly named the "Purpleheart", using this wood for the body; it's said to be exceptionally...  

Nice to see it through someone else's eyes. Looking forward to your further posts, the photos are wonderful. Chris

For the same reasons I liked yours a lot, Chris. Thanks! Oliver

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Piaget is starting to tell their stories and with takman's visit report as well as your photo essay, we will learn more. My next camera is going to be a 'slow model'. ....people portraits, watches and food don't run away so I don't need a Nikon D4. I've s... 

you can do it with your DSLR - everything you want. What is your reason to change the system? You mentioned Leica X1 or Fuji X100, both are good cameras - in general. Not for food, not perfect for portraits and definetly not for watches/macros. Panasonic ... 

Oliver, A bit off topic from Piaget but sort of related to taking pictures of watch people, watches and food when I travel to see watches... I was thinking of a smaller pocket camera when a DSLR is too big to hide. But of course, not just a point and shoo... 

you should have a look on Panasonic´s G Micro System. Smaller than DSLR, superior to point and shoot and there are lenses from Leica available If you still think about Leica M, Leica X1 .... you should have a look at their app "LFI - Leica Fotografie Inte... 

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MTF, consider a micro 4/3 camera. With the appropriate adapter, any lens will fit on it. I have an Olympus EP2 and use Olympus, Panasonic, Zeiss and Leica lenses (crop factor 2). Also have an array of tiny C mount cine lenses and a pinwide (basically a bo...  

I am also intrigued as to why and how the apprentices make their own tool set box. I guess they build a foundation this way, and probably appreciate their tools much more. If I were in this line of work I would have to have my things well organized. Thank... 

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And of course I can't wait to discover next part! I was very happy to know that you were able to accompany Chris in this fantastic journey inside High Horology. Fx

Oliver

Thanks so much for this glimpse inside the Piaget Manufacture, Oliver. It really adds so much to my appreciation of watches to know what goes on behind the scenes; the work involved in bringing these creations to life. I too have been impressed with the P... 

Andrew, I agree and there will be some more nice details and passion in the next part. If only I find the time to work on all that pictures ... ;-) Thanks! Oliver

It's always nice to see how the magic happens in a manufacture, and this was no exception. Thanks for sharing with us. Best. Vte

Magic people, magic tools ... knowledge about magic ... plus lots of passion and attention to the details Thanks! Oliver

Very much looking forward to Part 2. Regards, Richard.